(a) the procedure/criteria adopted for conferring `Bharat Ratna` award;
(b) whether requests have been received from various quarters to
confer the above award to some personalities of international repute;
(c) if so, the details thereof; and
(d) the steps being taken by the Government in this regard?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS
(SHRI MULLAPPALLY RAMACHANDRAN)
(a) to (d): Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian award of the
country, is awarded in recognition of exceptional service/performance
of the highest order in any field of human endeavour. In terms of
extant practice, the Prime Minister makes the recommendations for
Bharat Ratna Award to the President and the names for the Bharat
Ratna award are announced by the President’s Secretariat after
obtaining the approval of the President. The Prime Minister is
free to consult or obtain advice from any one he chooses. No formal
recommendation is required for Bharat Ratna. As per extant practice,
all the recommendations received in the Ministry for Bharat Ratna are
sent to the Prime Minister’s Office.